Aerostructures industry to consolidate, say consultants

Practically all sectors in aerospace have consolidated down to a few major players, but aerostructures remains an exception, it says. There are 36 companies with aerostructures sales in excess of $100 million and 100-plus smaller companies. The consultant suggests there will be around 8 “Super Tier 1” suppliers; considerable pressure on other tier 1s, leading to consolidation; but less pressure on, and a clear role for, technology specialists and suppliers in low-cost countries. And the consolidation has started. BAE Systems has agreed the sale of its Prestwick-based aerostructures business to US group Spirit AeroSystems – it will become Spirit AeroSystems (Europe), with the company expected to take over the 830-strong workforce in the summer. Spirit last year purchased the Wichita/Tulsa, USA Division of Boeing Commercial Airplanes from The Boeing Company. That new business entered into long-term agreements to supply Boeing fuselage sections, struts and nacelles, and wing elements on Boeing's 737, 747, 767, 777, and 787 platforms, making it the largest tier 1 aerostructures manufacturer in the world. The Prestwick site undertakes work for Airbus (80 per cent of its work), Boeing and Raytheon and produces structural components, chiefly for wings, similar to those of Spirit’s operations in Oklahoma, USA.